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Ways To Find Relief From Sciatic Pain

Sciatic pain usually begins in the lower back and moves down to the legs. Fortunately, there are different ways to relieve sciatic pain, including exercising and spinal decompression therapy.

About the Sciatic Nerve

Sciatic pain is usually debilitating and excruciating. The condition is also common. The sciatic nerve starts from the lower back and moves through the buttocks and hips and down to each leg. The sciatic pain usually follows the sciatic nerve’s path.

Common sciatic pain causes include:

  • Spinal stenosis
  • A ruptured disk
  • Injury

Sciatic pain may also be caused by a condition known as piriformis syndrome. The piriformis muscle usually extends from the buttocks towards the edge of the spine to the top of the thighs. There are instances when the muscles can spasm, and it may trap the sciatic nerve, which is near, resulting in sciatic pain.

To solve the issue of sciatic pain, the first step should involve the identification of the part that isn’t moving. In most cases, the body parts that prove to be the most problematic are the hips and lower back. Also, to get rid of sciatic pain, you can perform any stretch that will rotate the hip externally to offer some relief. Let’s now look into different ways you can relieve sciatic pain.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

If you’re experiencing back pain and the issue has persisted for a prolonged period, you may be looking for a way to find relief from this condition. Fortunately, spinal decompression therapy in Naples FL can help, and it is either nonsurgical or surgical. Let’s delve further into this treatment option.

About Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression

Nonsurgical spinal decompression involves motorized traction that can help you find relief from back pain. Spinal decompression involves stretching the spine gently to change the position and force of the spine. The change will take some pressure off your spinal disks between the bones in the spine through the creation of negative pressure. In the process, herniated or bulging disks will retract, thus taking pressure off your nerves and the structures around the spine. In turn, the movement of oxygen and water into the disks will improve significantly.

Nonsurgical spinal decompression is used to treat:

  • Sciatic pain or back or neck pain
  • Worn spinal joints
  • Herniated or bulging disks
  • Diseased or injured spinal nerve roots

How Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression is Carried Out

During the spinal-decompression therapy, you’ll be fully clothed. The doctor will then fit you with a harness around your trunk and another around the pelvis. You can lie with your face up or down on a table that is computer-controlled. The doctor will operate the computer and customize this treatment option based on your needs.

The treatment session can last for at least 45 minutes. Before you fully recover, you’ll need to undergo at least 20 sessions which will take place within five weeks. Other treatment types you may need before or after the spinal-decompression therapy include:

  • Cold or heat therapy
  • Ultrasound
  • Electrical simulation

Who Needs to Undergo Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression

You need to consult a medical practitioner, and they will determine whether or not you’re a suitable nonsurgical spinal decompression candidate. If you’re pregnant, you should avoid such treatment options. If you suffer from the following conditions, you should also avoid nonsurgical spinal decompression:

  • Tumor
  • Advanced osteoporosis
  • Fracture
  • Metal implants in your spine
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm.

About Surgical Spinal Decompression

Surgical spinal decompression is another treatment option for people dealing with back pain; this treatment option is usually administered as a last resort. If other measures fail to work, the medical practitioner can recommend surgical spinal decompression for ruptured or bulging discs and other spinal issues. Surgery can help relieve the following symptoms:

  • Numbness
  • Pain
  • Weakness
  • Tingling

Types of Spinal-Decompression Surgery

The doctor can suggest different types of surgery for back pain to relieve the pressure you’re experiencing in the spine. Additionally, you may require spinal fusion since it helps stabilize the spine. The common back surgery types include:

Diskectomy- this procedure involves removing a part of the disk to relieve the pressure on the nerves.

Foraminotomy- the surgeon will remove bone or other tissues that are expanding to the nerve root openings.

Corpectomy- the procedure involves removing disks and the vertebral body present between the vertebrae.

Laminotomy- the surgeon will remove a small part of your bone tissue to increase the spinal canal size while relieving pressure.

Risks Associated with Spinal Decompression Surgery

There are some risks involved similar to other types of surgery, and they include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Allergic reaction to the anesthesia
  • Tissue or nerve damage
  • Blood clots

Another risk associated with surgery includes that the back pain may fail to improve. It’s challenging to determine who can benefit from spinal decompression surgery.

Ease Sciatic Pain Without Surgery

It is possible to ease sciatic pain non-surgically. The main focus is on improving your core and back strength as you increase flexibility throughout the lower body and hips.

Physical therapists can help determine whether sciatic pain can be relieved using conservative techniques such as static stretching, cold therapy, and chiropractic adjustments. Most individuals usually respond well to some of these techniques, and they’re usually pain-free.

Massage therapy and chiropractic adjustments can help improve spine alignment while addressing additional underlying conditions and improving muscle relaxation and blood circulation. Minor pain may also be treated by applying cold or heat. If noninvasive treatments for sciatic pain fail, a doctor can recommend surgery. However, surgery isn’t a suitable choice for everyone.

Using Medication to Treat Sciatica

The common drug types that can be used in treating sciatic pain include:

  • Muscle relaxants
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Antiseizure medications
  • Tricyclic antidepressants

Anti-inflammatory medication helps reduce sciatic pain symptoms and inflammation. Muscle relaxants will loosen the muscles that are tightened up.

Final Thoughts

Sciatica is a condition that makes your day-to-day life challenging. Fortunately, there are different ways to treat this condition, and most of them effectively reduce the symptoms. You should liaise with a medical practitioner, and they will determine the most suitable treatment option for you. If non-invasive options prove futile, the only remaining option might be surgery.

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